HESN is guided by the principle that housing is a human right. All Hamiltonians deserve free, safe, and equitable housing. HESN advocates and supports houseless and unhoused Hamitlonians using the principles of de-escalation, harm reduction, and non-interference.

Apart from these guiding principles, HESN operates within a solidarity and equity-based framework. HESN operates under the following general guiding principles in all of its work - disability justice, anti-harassment, anti-racism, anti-oppression, and decriminalization.